In exploring the ancient world, we are reminded that distant civilizations were often not so different from one another. Whether in Greece or China, the challenges of defense, trade, and power led societies to place immense value on naval strength, on par with their armies and fortifications. One compelling example of this cross-cultural comparison can be seen in the study of two fascinating ancient warships: the Greek τριήρης (triḗrēs), commonly known by its Latinized name, “trireme,” and the Chinese 突冒 (tūmào, in Pinyin). Despite originating in distinct cultural and geographic contexts, these vessels are strikingly similar. Both were designed around a core principle: the use of a Read more …
